THE race is already on for council seats in next year’s local elections with a number of candidates already throwing their hat into the ring.
Fine Gael selected their local election representatives for the new Ballymun ward, which includes Glasnevin, Whitehall and parts of Drumcondra and Beaumont.
The three man team comprises current Finglas/Ballymun councillor, Prof Bill Tormey, Clontarf councillor, Gerry Breen and the youngest candidate named so far, Noel Rock from Glasnevin.
“It’s a great honour to currently be the youngest candidate for Dublin City Council,
? said Mr Rock.
“Politics needs a shake-up, this much we know. It needs new ideas, new thinking, new energy and new faces: and I hope I can be one of those new faces, who fights vigorously on behalf of the people of Glasnevin, Drumcondra, Ballymun, Santry and Beaumont.
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Sinn Féin has selected local activist, Noeleen Reilly, for the Ballymun ward. She was chosen at an uncontested convention last month at the Axis Centre in Ballymun.
Speaking after the nomination she said she was honoured to accept the nomination.
“It’s an honour to follow in the footsteps of former candidates like Ann O’Sullivan, Cora Marshell, Ray Corcoran and Dessie Ellis to name but a few,
? she added.
“We have always had a very strong republican base in Ballymun. We topped the poll in Ballymun in the 2011 general election. It is now time to raise that bar once more.
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Sinn Féin in Dublin West has also announced its local election team to contest for Fingal County Council seats next year. Paul Donnelly will contest the Mulhuddart ward and local woman, Natalie Treacy, will make a bid to capture a seat in the Castleknock ward.
Speaking at the party’s local selection convention held in The Bell Public House in Blanchardstown, Mr Donnelly said he was honoured to be selected.
“I have extensive experience in a number of diverse projects and organisations such as local drug and alcohol treatments services, community policing and safety, environmental and housing issues,
? he said.
“I aim to bring that experience and knowledge to the next level as a councillor representing the people of Mulhuddart.
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Ms Treacy said:
“I feel really privileged to stand as a Sinn Féin candidate in next year’s local elections. I am a Blanchardstown woman born and bred and it would be a huge honour to represent my peers on Fingal County Council.
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Green Party Dublin West representative, Roderic O’Gorman, has confirmed that he will contest next May’s local elections for the party in the Castleknock Ward.
It will be his third time running in the area, having come fifth and missing the final seat in 2009.
“Dublin 15 is a great area to live, work and raise kids in,
? he said.
“However, I think we can always do more to make it better.
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Sinn Fein has also chosen Lynn Boylan (Lynn NÃ Bhaoigheallain) to contest the 2014 EU seat for Dublin.